Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-28

ing on Maine. The animal commonl
= known rs the Canad an gray wolf wa
F. then the scourge OF the country. The
Q often gathered in large number.
: apparently under the guidance of Al
acknowledged leader. and attacke,
whataver came in their way. No
: only sheep and small animals wer
slaughtered, but horned cattle, horses
and even human beings fell prey /,
these bloodthir,ty scourges. Tho vol
Is scarcely. II ever. known to attack
any creature except some of the small
er species, sngly, rs he has ever beer
noted for his cowardce but whcr
pressed by hunger and an availabl,
opportun for securing good round
meal Is discovered by the leader of the
pack. he ut once begins to howl. Thi.
Is understood and answered. bv others.
until, in an incredibly short time, they
are all assembled. when, under the
Gu dance and at well known signal
from The leader, the frightfu and
ominous war cry, known rs that of the
chase, is sounded Then whatever
happens to be the object of pursuit is
generally doomed to destruction. The
leader when 10 becomes feeble by
reason OF old age or other dsab litics.
Is generally yanquished in an encounter
with some younger and more vigorous
male and then set upon by the entire
pack and driven out TO die alone. The
wolves sonnet mos seen sngly or in
pairs in northern Maine are said TO be
refugees from northern Canada and
perfectly harmless, rs their defeat and
exile has rendered them so cowar,ly
that no danger need be feared. as they
Will never attack anything larger than
partridge or rabb t.
In the autumn OF the year 1882. near
the close Of a bright, sunny day.
traveller al gifted at a ! tile wavsidc inn
situated on the borders OF one of those
extensive Canadian forests known as
the Grown lands. and called for feed
for his horse aud lunch. He was n
powerfully built man. of fine personal
appearance, in the prime of life, and
evidently one who had seen much of
the world The horse he rode. whose
Symmetrical form. linely-shaped head
and loft m On plainl. indicated h
careful breeding, was nnsaddlel, neat
~ groomed and placed IN the stable.
A frugal meal Of dccr-stcak, potatoes.
buckwheat ~ ddle cakes and maple
honey was soon placed on the table, TO
which the hungry traveller immediately
proceeded to do ample justice. To this
was added n tumbler and small ocean
ter Of whisky. a. ut that day drink Of
some kind OF liquor especially among
gentry and travellers at least. before
each meal WAS not only considered re-
spectacle. but almost ini spcnsble.
Or the latter, however the guest de-
ciiued to partake, remark ng that he
had never ct tasted liquor Of any kind.
aud hadn't The least dc, re to commence
now. in reply to mterrogatories. he
stated that he W., ~ nt of large pub .
li,h.r- house IN Phiiadelph a. and I
bound 10 Qaobec; that bee must hasten, I.
rs he wished to pass the lonL woods
that night
Pas, lhe woods Tonight ?" ovcluir1-
ell tjie landlord in surprise. Indeed YOU .
must 10 no such thing. The wood, are .
filed with wolves, and they are uncom-
monty fierce. Ii ou cncountera pack.
a no doubt You viii, ,oar if mus pay (
tie forfeit; so please sta, where youure .
IN welcome. but beg you will not .
hazzard your lie in this reckless man
ncr.
TIE traveller. thinking his host over
anxious, and 1t, he carr ed a large sum
Of money. began 10 mi>trust danger
from another source. The more he
pondered. the lirmer became h : con-
victjon that IN schief was meant. and
the story of the Wolves one of their in
vention to suit the occas on and their
own wicked purpose. Furthermore.
knowing the moon to be near the full /
and smooth road before him. besides
being well mounted. he anticipated
nothing but pleasant ride.
Bidding his host a hasty goodbv. he
his horse and was soon lost TO
S ght in the slant forest. Nothing Of
interest occurred to disturb the monot-
ony OF his journey until several miles or
perhaps more than hall the distance had
been passed. when he deserted dark
object at a short distance ahead. which
be at first took for some stray dog.
Tho creature trotted along for some
distance n a leisurely manner. OCCASION
ally casting backward glance at the
horse and rider. then with sudden
bound disappeared in the forest But
n few moments interviewed when a short
distance to h 5 right he heard the pro-
longed howls of wolf. This was m-
med ately answered by another ut h s
left, and then another an another i'm